A magical 160 year old home in Cape Town

As soon as I spotted this 1854 Cape Dutch home (located in Montagu, Cape Town) featured in Visi, I knew there was something magical about it. And when I read the story, I realized I was right. As the homeowners tell it: “For a year before we started renovating, I spent every weekend sleeping on a mattress on the floor of the empty entrance hall. It was important to do this, because only then did I hear the house. I could hear her breathe. I could hear the creaking of the wood, the sounds the pipes make, how the wind whispers through the rooms and where she ached. And in doing so I realised that ours would have to be a historical renovation; it wasn’t so much what we wanted the house to be but rather what it should be.” You can read the rest of the story here. (Photos: Micky Hoyle)

xavier says:

Moyra says:

axie says:

October 9, 2016

There isn't a room that isn't perfectly and personally suited to the character of the house. It has soul, and the owners have obviously connected with it. I was wondering what the green room with shelving was used for- the story from the link:

The library, which he refers to as the room of curiosities, is Hein’s favourite space. Here, he tells me, “The memories come flooding back. Things that come out of my childhood, like the desk from my father’s study, things from Jacques’s family home. Things we bought on our travels together. This is where our respective journeys come together and our life together is revealed.”

Debby says:

Jared Hayden says:

October 10, 2016

I keep coming back to look at this. Those textured ceilings. That glossy green floor in the glass-roofed room. The exquisite and personal curation of objects and art. That red that never looked this good anywhere. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations to the owners for crafting an impeccable home.

Mal says:

Courtney says:

October 10, 2016

@Mal – Yup Montagu is about 2 hours from Cape Town and filled with old homes waiting to receive new life. People are more likely to have heard of Cape Town than Montagu, which is tiny (I don't think they have a single traffic light). Creative liberties 🙂